STRESS IN AMERICA ™

One Year Later, A New Wave of Pandemic Health Concerns

MARCH 2021
STRESS IN AMERICA™
One Year Later, A New Wave of Pandemic Health Concerns

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared KEY SURVEY FINDINGS INCLUDE:
COVID-19 a global pandemic. Within a week, millions went » A majority of adults (61%) reported experiencing
home to shelter in place for what they thought would be a few undesired weight changes since the start of the
weeks, hoping that their sacrifice would stop the spread of the pandemic, with more than 2 in 5 (42%) saying they
coronavirus. gained more weight than they intended. Of this group,
One year later, more than 500,000 U.S. residents have died adults reported gaining an average of 29 pounds (with a
from the coronavirus, while the nation also has grappled with typical gain of 15 pounds, which is the median).
racial injustice, a brutal election cycle and civil unrest. » Two in 3 Americans (67%) said they are sleeping
more or less than they wanted to since the pandemic
In our October 2020 report, Stress in AmericaTM 2020: A National
started. Similar proportions reported less (35%) and
Mental Health Crisis, the American Psychological Association
more (31%) sleep than desired. Nearly 1 in 4 adults
issued a warning about the impact of these stressful events
(23%) reported drinking more alcohol to cope with their
on long-term physical and mental health. We warned that
stress during the coronavirus pandemic.
Americans faced a second pandemic — one that would persist
even after the physical threat of the virus has been addressed. » Nearly half of Americans (47%) said they delayed
Our most recent survey of U.S. adults, conducted in late February or canceled health care services since the pandemic
2021 by The Harris Poll, indicates that this is coming to fruition. started.
» Nearly half of parents (48%) said the level of stress
Survey responses reveal that physical health may be declining
in their life has increased compared with before the
due to an inability to cope in healthy ways with the stresses
pandemic. More than 3 in 5 parents with children who
of the pandemic. Many reported they have gained or lost an
are still home for remote learning (62%) said the same.
undesired amount of weight, are drinking more alcohol to cope
with stress and are not getting their desired amount of sleep. This » Essential workers were more than twice as likely as
is particularly true of parents, essential workers, young people those who are not to have received treatment from a
and people of color. These reported health impacts signal many mental health professional (34% vs. 12%) and to have
adults may be having difficulties managing stressors, including been diagnosed with a mental health disorder since the
grief and trauma, and are likely to lead to significant, long-term coronavirus pandemic started (25% vs. 9%).
individual and societal consequences, including chronic illness » Black Americans were most likely to report feelings of
and additional strain on the nation’s health care system. concern about the future. More than half said they feel
uneasy about adjusting to in-person interaction once
the pandemic ends (57% vs. 51% Asian, 50% Hispanic
and 47% white).
» Gen Z adults (46%) were the most likely generation to
say that their mental health has worsened compared
with before the pandemic, followed by Xers (33%),
Millennials (31%), Boomers (28%) and older adults (9%).

This report elaborates on these findings and proposes strate-

gies to help us navigate this secondary crisis. APA is committed
to helping people emerge from this challenging time poised to
embrace and shape a brighter future together.

AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION STRESS IN AMERICA™ ONE YEAR LATER, A NEW WAVE OF PANDEMIC HEALTH CONCERNS 1
 PANDEMIC-RELATED STRESS COMES WITH Adults also reported changes in sleep and increased alcohol
SERIOUS HEALTH CONSEQUENCES consumption. Two in 3 Americans (67%) said they are sleeping
The prolonged stress experienced by adults, especially the more or less than they wanted to since the pandemic started.
high levels of stress reported by Americans directly linked to Similar proportions reported less (35%) and more (31%) sleep
the pandemic, is seriously affecting mental and physical health, than desired. Nearly 1 in 4 adults1 (23%) reported drinking more
including changes to weight, sleep and alcohol use. alcohol to cope with their stress during the coronavirus pandemic.
This proportion jumps to more than half of adults (52%) who are
Weight change is a common symptom when people are having parents with early elementary school-age children (5-7 years old).
difficulty coping with mental health challenges. A majority of
adults (61%) reported experiencing undesired weight changes Overall, physical health has taken a back seat. Nearly half of
since the start of the pandemic, with more than 2 in 5 (42%) Americans (47%) said they delayed or canceled health care ser-
saying they gained more weight than they intended. Of this vices since the pandemic started. Additionally, more than half of
group, adults reported gaining an average of 29 pounds (with a U.S. adults (53%) said they have been less physically active than
median gain of 15 pounds), and 1 in 10 (10%) said they gained they wanted to be since the pandemic started.
more than 50 pounds. For the 18% of Americans who said they Three in 4 adults who reported a high stress level (rating of 8 – 10
lost more weight than they wanted to, the average amount of on a scale where 1 means “little or no stress” and 10 means “a
weight lost was 26 pounds (median of 12 pounds). great deal of stress”) during the past year related to the pan-
Significant weight gain poses long-term health risks. According demic (75%) reported undesired weight changes since the start
to the National Institutes of Health, people who gain more than of the pandemic, compared with 43% of those who reported a
11 pounds are at higher risk of developing Type II diabetes melli- low stress level (rating of a 1–3). They also were more likely to
tus and coronary heart disease, and people who gain more than report sleeping more or less than they wanted to since the start
24 pounds are at higher risk of developing ischemic stroke. And of the pandemic (84% vs. 42% for low stress) and drinking more
according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, alcohol to cope with stress (38% vs. 10% for low stress). Further,
people who are overweight are more likely to develop serious more than 3 in 5 of those who reported high stress (63%) said
illness from the coronavirus. they have been less physically active than they wanted to be
since the start of the pandemic, compared with 42% of those
who reported a low stress level.

SLIGHTLY MORE THAN 6 IN 10 U.S. ADULTS (61%) REPORT UNDESIRED WEIGHT CHANGE SINCE START OF PANDEMIC

AVERAGE AVERAGE
% WHO REPORT UNDESIRED WEIGHT LOSS WEIGHT WEIGHT % WHO REPORT UNDESIRED WEIGHT GAIN
LOSS GAIN

18% 26 lbs U.S. ADULTS 29 lbs 42%

20% 25 lbs MEN 37 lbs 39%

17% 27 lbs WOMEN 22 lbs 45%

22% 22 lbs GEN Z ADULTS 28 lbs 52%

(Ages 18–24)

22% 26 lbs MILLENNIALS 41 lbs 48%

(Ages 25–42)

17% 24 lbs XERS 21 lbs 41%

(Ages 43–56)

14% 26 lbs BOOMERS 16 lbs 37%

(Ages 57–75)

5% -* OLDER ADULTS -* 25%

(Ages 76+)

17% 22 lbs WHITE ADULTS 30 lbs 42%

25% 27 lbs HISPANIC ADULTS 28 lbs 46%

22% 38 lbs BLACK ADULTS 35 lbs 42%

16% -* ASIAN ADULTS 12 lbs 38%

22% 29 lbs PARENTS 36 lbs 51%

24% 30 lbs ESSENTIAL WORKERS 38 lbs 50%

1
 Data among adults ages 21+ *Insufficient sample size for reporting

2 AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION STRESS IN AMERICA™ ONE YEAR LATER, A NEW WAVE OF PANDEMIC HEALTH CONCERNS
 How to Identify Unhealthy Habits,
Change Behavior and Manage Weight
IDENTIFY UNHEALTHY HABITS
» Take note of when you are overeating, making poor
food choices or drinking alcohol: What time of the day
is it? Did something stressful happen? Are you bored?
Answering these kinds of questions can help you
determine if your habits aren’t healthy.
» Pay attention to how you feel after a certain activity.
For instance, drinking might make you feel better in the
moment but worse the day after. If you notice this is
happening, try substituting this behavior with another
activity that doesn’t make you feel worse later.

CHANGE BEHAVIOR
» Make the goals you set for yourself specific and attainable. MOTHERS — AND FATHERS — REPORT MENTAL,
For instance, if you’re trying to drink less during the
PHYSICAL HEALTH DECLINES
pandemic, determine a specific number of days and drinks
by which you want to limit your alcohol consumption. Since March 2020, life has changed radically for parents of chil-
dren under 18. Not only have they had to deal with the universal
» Find an accountability buddy. Telling a close friend or
family member about your goals can help you stay on pandemic disruptions on their work and social lives, but also
track and they can check on your progress. grapple with the pandemic’s impact on their children. Nearly
half of parents (48%) said the level of stress in their life has
MANAGE WEIGHT increased compared with before the pandemic. More than 3 in
» If you are feeling stressed and are gaining weight, instead 5 parents with children who are still home for remote learning
of trying to lose weight, start by trying to maintain your
(62%) said the same.
weight by not overeating and staying active. This can help
you develop healthy eating habits. Similarly, while slightly more than 3 in 10 adults (31%) reported
» To maintain weight or stop yourself from losing weight, their mental health has worsened compared with before the
establish a routine for eating three meals a day — either pandemic, nearly half of mothers who still have children home
by setting an alarm to signal mealtimes or blocking off for remote learning (47%) reported their mental health has
time in your calendar. If trying to decide what to eat feels worsened; 30% of fathers who still have children home said the
overwhelming, repeating the same breakfast and lunch same. And while 3 in 4 parents (75%) said they could have used
every day can help build routine. 
more emotional support than they received since the pandemic
» If you can’t get outside, go for a walk inside. Plan a route started, fathers (82%) were significantly more likely to say they
through your home that lets you take about 25 steps and could have used more emotional support than mothers (68%).
take this route while you’re in a meeting, catching up with
a friend on the phone or taking a 5-minute break during
your workday. PARENTS’ MENTAL, PHYSICAL HEALTH
IMPACTED SINCE START OF PANDEMIC

75% say they could have used more emotional

support than they received
Fathers (82%) were significantly
more likely to say they could have
used more emotional support 32% received treatment from a mental health professional
than mothers (68%).

24% were diagnosed with a mental health

disorder since the pandemic started

AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION STRESS IN AMERICA™ ONE YEAR LATER, A NEW WAVE OF PANDEMIC HEALTH CONCERNS 3
 When it comes to seeking treatment, parents were more likely
than those without children to have received treatment from
a mental health professional (32% vs. 12%) and to have been How Parents Can Support
diagnosed with a mental health disorder since the coronavirus
pandemic began (24% vs. 9%). Here, too, fathers were more
Their Children and Themselves,
likely than mothers to have received mental health treatment
(38% vs. 26%) and to have been diagnosed with a mental
and Stay Healthy
health disorder since the start of the pandemic (29% vs. 19%). » Practice self-care in 15- or 30-minute increments
Additionally, more than half of parents (54%) said they feel like throughout the day and help your kids to do the same.
their children could have benefited from receiving treatment This can include taking a short walk, calling a friend or
from a mental health professional since the pandemic started, watching a funny show.
particularly parents of tweens ages 8–12 (63%). » Stay connected with each other, your friends and family.
This will help you build emotional resilience so you can
Regarding physical changes, 8 in 10 fathers (80%) reported support the needs of your children.
unwanted changes in weight, compared with 66% of mothers
» Try hosting device-free time for the whole family, where
since the start of the pandemic. Specifically, 55% of fathers
you make and eat dinner together or play a board game.
reported gaining weight, with an average weight gain of 45 Children are more likely to talk about their experiences
pounds (median of 20 pounds). On the other hand, 47% of while engaging in an activity.
mothers said they gained weight, with an average weight gain
of 27 pounds (median of 15 pounds).

Fathers (87%) also were more likely than mothers (77%) to

report sleeping more or less than they wanted to since the pan-
demic started and to say they are drinking more alcohol to cope
with stress (48% of fathers vs. 29% of mothers).

Mothers are more likely than fathers to say their

mental health has worsened compared with before
the pandemic (39% vs. 25%), but fathers are more
likely to report behavioral and physical changes:

 MOTHERS  FATHERS

% report sleeping more or less than they wanted

0 100

77% 87%

% report unwanted weight changes

66% 80%

% report drinking more alcohol to cope with stress

29% 48%

4 AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION STRESS IN AMERICA™ ONE YEAR LATER, A NEW WAVE OF PANDEMIC HEALTH CONCERNS
ESSENTIAL WORKERS MORE LIKELY TO
BE DIAGNOSED WITH A MENTAL HEALTH
DISORDER DURING PANDEMIC
While some Americans packed up their office supplies and
headed home in March 2020, many adults had to continue
going into work, despite the health risks. Essential workers,
such as health care professionals and law enforcement officers,
have had to deal with a special set of stressors that included
isolating themselves from their loved ones and witnessing
first-hand the effects of the coronavirus. Prolonged exposure to
these stressors is taking a serious toll.

More than half of essential workers (54%) said they relied on a

lot of unhealthy habits to get through the pandemic. Nearly 3 in
10 (29%) said their mental health has worsened. When asked
about emotional support, 3 in 4 essential workers (75%) said
they could have used more than they received since the pan-
demic started. Essential workers were more than twice as likely
as those who are not to have received treatment from a mental
health professional (34% vs. 12%) and to have been diagnosed
with a mental health disorder since the coronavirus pandemic
started (25% vs. 9%). How Employers Can Support
When it comes to physical impacts of stress, nearly 3 in 4
essential workers (74%) reported unwanted changes in weight
Essential Workers
since the pandemic started, with 50% saying they gained more » Provide flexibility to employees, whether it’s what
weight than they wanted to. Of this group, the average amount they work on, when they work or how they work (how
of weight gained was 38 pounds (median of 20 pounds). they work is particularly important for employers of
Additionally, 80% of essential workers reported sleeping more frontline workers). Every person has been affected by
the pandemic; providing flexibility at work will allow
or less than they wanted to and 39% said they have been drink-
people to do their jobs while handling new stressors and
ing more alcohol to cope with stress during the pandemic.
responsibilities, such as a child’s education.
» Provide support. This can be emotional support through
1 IN 4 ESSENTIAL WORKERS (25%) DIAGNOSED WITH
one-on-one check-ins or reducing someone’s workload
MENTAL HEALTH DISORDER SINCE START OF PANDEMIC
to just essential tasks. Employers also should emphasize
that using sick leave applies whether someone isn’t
feeling well physically or mentally.
» Ensure that employees’ needs are met — make sure they
have access to PPE, transportation and other resources to
do their jobs.
» Provide clear communication to employees and
supervisors about expectations, support resources and
new policies that respond directly to impacts created by
the pandemic. This reduces uncertainty at work, which is
75% say they could have used more emotional
support than they received a major contributor to employee stress.
» Supervisors should not expect work to continue at the
same level as before. Creating this expectation can lead
34% received treatment from a mental health professional to employee burn-out. Instead, help employees prioritize
what work is critical and what can wait.
» When vaccinations are available, allow employees to take
a day off to get the vaccine and deal with any side effects
post-vaccination.

AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION STRESS IN AMERICA™ ONE YEAR LATER, A NEW WAVE OF PANDEMIC HEALTH CONCERNS 5
 HISPANIC ADULTS MOST LIKELY TO REPORT
PHYSICAL IMPACTS OF STRESS; BLACK AMERICANS
CONCERNED ABOUT LIFE AFTER THE PANDEMIC How People of Color
Stress related to the pandemic has had a disproportionate
impact on communities of color.
Can Build Resilience
When asked to rate their stress over the last year related to the
» Feelings of stress, anger, outrage and frustration, or a
host of other emotions because of systemic injustice, are
coronavirus pandemic, Hispanic adults reported an average
expected. Acknowledge those feelings and do what you
stress level of 6.1 (on a scale where 1 means “little or no stress” can to take care of yourself as you continue to cope and
and 10 means “a great deal of stress”). This is higher than the manage in today’s reality.
average levels reported by white (5.3), Black (5.3) and Asian
» Participate in culturally affirming activities and continue
(5.2) adults. to share experiences even if in-person gatherings are not
When it comes to support, nearly 2 in 3 Black (66%) and possible. These activities will help you stay connected to
your community.
Hispanic (65%) adults said they could have used more emo-
tional support than they received since the pandemic started, » Limit exposure to news media and video of people being
compared with 55% of white and 50% of Asian adults who said assaulted, harassed or killed by law enforcement or other
groups. For many people of color, watching these videos
the same.
can cause trauma or trigger other negative emotions.
Hispanic adults were most likely to report undesired changes This is particularly true for young people of color.
to sleep (78% Hispanic vs. 76% Black, 63% white and 61%
Asian), physical activity levels (87% Hispanic vs. 84% Black,
81% Asian and 79% white) and weight (71% Hispanic vs. 64%
Stress about the future also is having a disproportionate impact
Black, 58% white and 54% Asian) since the pandemic began.
on communities of color. Black Americans were most likely to
Among those who gained more weight than desired since the report feelings of concern about the future. More than half said
pandemic started, Black adults reported an average of 35 pounds they do not feel comfortable going back to living life like they
gained (median of 15 pounds), white adults reported an average used to before the pandemic (54% vs. 48% Hispanic, 45%
of 30 pounds (median of 15 pounds), Hispanic adults reported Asian and 44% white) and that they feel uneasy about adjust-
an average of 28 pounds (median of 10 pounds) and Asian adults ing to in-person interaction once the pandemic ends (57% vs.
reported an average of 12 pounds (median of 8 pounds). 51% Asian, 50% Hispanic and 47% white).

BLACK ADULTS MOST LIKELY TO REPORT CONCERNS ABOUT THE FUTURE

I do not feel comfortable going back to living I feel uneasy about adjusting to in-person
life liked I used to before the pandemic interaction once the pandemic ends

% STRONGLY/SOMEWHAT AGREE % STRONGLY/SOMEWHAT AGREE

54% Black 57% Black

48% Hispanic 50% Hispanic

45% Asian 51% Asian

44% White 47% White

6 AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION STRESS IN AMERICA™ ONE YEAR LATER, A NEW WAVE OF PANDEMIC HEALTH CONCERNS
YOUNG AMERICANS CONTINUE TO STRUGGLE
Stress in AmericaTM 2020: A National Mental Health Crisis, released
in October, revealed that “Gen Z teens (ages 13–17) and Gen
Z adults (ages 18–23) were facing unprecedented uncertainty,
experiencing elevated stress and already reporting symptoms of
depression.” This new survey finds Gen Z adults are also doing
worse mentally and physically than other generations.

Gen Z adults (46%) were the most likely generation to say

that their mental health has worsened compared with before
the pandemic, followed by Xers (33%), Millennials (31%),
Boomers (28%) and older adults (9%). Another challenge
for Gen Z adults is feeling isolated. Around half of U.S. adults
(47%) agreed they have felt very lonely during the coronavirus
pandemic, but Gen Z adults (65%) and Millennials (62%) were
more likely than their older counterparts to report this (Xers:
41%, Boomers: 33%, older adults: 20%).

Younger generations also were more likely to say they could

have used more emotional support than they received since the
pandemic started, with Gen Z adults nearly four times as likely
as older adults to report this (Gen Z adults: 79%, Millennials:
75%, Xers: 54%, Boomers: 40%, older adults: 21%). When
it comes to receiving treatment, Millennials were most likely
to have received treatment from a mental health professional
(32%) or to have been diagnosed with a mental health disorder
(23%) since the start of the pandemic.

The reported physical impacts on younger adults are significant,

with nearly 3 in 4 Gen Z adults (74%) and a similar proportion of
Millennials (70%) reporting unwanted weight changes since the
pandemic started, compared with 58% of Xers, 52% of Boomers
and 30% of older adults. More specifically, 52% of Gen Z adults How Young Adults
reported gaining more weight than they wanted to, as did 48% of
Millennials. Among those who gained more weight than desired, Can Build Resilience
Millennials on average reported the highest amount of weight
» Create meaningful opportunities for connections with
gained (average of 41 pounds, median of 20 pounds), followed family, culture and community. Although many young
by Gen Z adults (average of 28 pounds, median of 15 pounds), adults have left home physically, these connections
Xers (average of 21 pounds, median of 15 pounds) and Boomers remain fundamental to youth well-being.
(average of 16 pounds, median of 10 pounds). » Create traditions that celebrate important milestones
like graduation and weddings in new ways and are still
meaningful.

Gen Z adults (46%) were the most » Get regular sleep. Pick a bedtime and try to stick with it
(avoid the temptation to stay up late because you don’t
likely generation to say that their have to commute to work or school in the morning).
mental health has worsened
» Move a little bit more. Attach activity goals to a specific
compared with before the pandemic. time of day (e.g., pledge to walk 500 steps before
breakfast). Small activities throughout the day add
up— and if you miss one, you’ve got another goal later
in the day you can still try to meet.

AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION STRESS IN AMERICA™ ONE YEAR LATER, A NEW WAVE OF PANDEMIC HEALTH CONCERNS 7
 CORONAVIRUS STRESS: MAJORITY OF AMERICANS
NEVER IMAGINED PANDEMIC WOULD LAST THIS LONG
A majority of adults (82%) said they never imagined the coro-
navirus pandemic would last this long. Nearly 7 in 10 Americans
(67%) said that living through the coronavirus pandemic has
been a rollercoaster of emotions.

Nearly 1 in 4 U.S. adults (24%) said they or a household

member were laid off from a job during the coronavirus pan-
demic, while 22% started working from home, and 16% of all
U.S. adults had a child or children age 18 or younger at home
for remote learning. Among parents who had a child home for
remote learning, the majority (85%) still had at least one child
remote learning from home as of February 2021.

Additionally, 2 in 3 Americans (67%) reported less in-person

social interaction since the start of the coronavirus pandemic,
but a similar proportion (67%) have had online social interac-
tions (e.g., social media, online chat rooms or video calls) during
this time. The majority of those who have had online social
interactions since the coronavirus pandemic started (84%) said
these engagements have helped them cope with stress.

When asked how the level of stress in their life has changed
compared with before the pandemic, nearly half of U.S. adults APA PROVIDES GUIDANCE;
(47%) said the level of stress in their life has increased. CALLS ON POLICYMAKERS TO ADDRESS
SEVERE HEALTH CONSEQUENCES
The majority of those who have While the situation is critical, it is not hopeless. This report
contains small steps Americans can take to stay active, pos-
had online social interactions
itive and connected on a daily basis. But the U.S. response
since the coronavirus pandemic to this crisis also requires large, systemic changes by health
started (84%) said these engagements leaders and policymakers.
have helped them cope with stress.
We need to facilitate access to mental health services during
and after the pandemic, including an expansion of congressional
pandemic relief efforts that include substantial funding for
REGARDLESS OF VACCINATION STATUS, mental health services and support. This also should include
AMERICANS FEEL UNEASY ABOUT IN-PERSON investing in prevention and treatment, continuing support for
INTERACTIONS IN THE FUTURE and expansion of telehealth services, and increasing funding to
better support school mental health services.
Looking ahead, Americans are hesitant about the future regard-
less of their vaccination status. Nearly half of Americans (49%) Even before the COVID-19 pandemic turns the corner, we need
to invest in helping Americans recover mentally and physically,
said they feel uneasy about adjusting to in-person interaction
making us stronger for the future.
once the pandemic ends. Adults who received a COVID-19
vaccine were just as likely as those who have not received a A special thank you to our member psychologists specializing
vaccine to say this (48% vs. 49%, respectively). in child development, parenting, racial disparities, education,
substance use, eating disorders and employment who
Similarly, 46% of adults said they do not feel comfortable going contributed actionable advice to this report: Dr. Emma Adam,
back to living life like they used to before the pandemic. Here, Dr. Mary Alvord, Dr. Leslie Hammer, Dr. Byron McClure, Dr.
too, similar proportions of Americans agreed with this state- James Murphy, Dr. Tracy Sbrocco, Dr. Mia Smith-Bynum and
ment regardless of whether they had received a COVID-19 vac- Dr. Erlanger “Earl” Turner. A special thanks also to our staff
who provided insights on this report: Dr. Lynn Bufka, Senior
cine (44% of those who received a vaccine vs. 46% of those
Director, Practice Transformation and Quality; Dr. Jim Diaz-
who did not receive a vaccine).
Granados, APA Deputy CEO; and Dr. Vaile Wright, Senior
Director of Health Care Innovation.

8 AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION STRESS IN AMERICA™ ONE YEAR LATER, A NEW WAVE OF PANDEMIC HEALTH CONCERNS
METHODOLOGY SUBGROUP ANALYSIS
The Pandemic Anniversary Survey was conducted online within Throughout the written summary, statistically significant differ-
the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of the American ences by subgroups are noted. Statistical significance testing
Psychological Association between Feb. 19 and 24, 2021, was conducted at the 95% level of confidence. All compar-
among 3,013 adults age 18+ who reside in the U.S. Interviews ative claims made in this report are statistically significant.
were conducted in English and Spanish. Data were weighted to Demographic sub-groups of adults are defined below:
reflect their proportions in the population based on the 2020
• Essential Worker: Yes (n=784); No (n=2,229)
Current Population Survey (CPS) by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Weighting variables included age by gender, race/ethnicity, • Generation: Gen Z adults (18–24 years old) n=522;
education, region, household income and time spent online. Millennials (25–42 years old) n=1,022; Xers (43–56
Hispanic adults also were weighted for acculturation, taking years old) n=563; Boomers (57–75 years old) n=806;
into account respondents’ household language as well as Older adults (age 76 or older) n=100
their ability to read and speak in English and Spanish. Country • Parental Status: Any children under the age of 18
of origin (U.S./non-U.S.) also was included for Hispanic and (n=1,003); No children (n=2,010)
Asian subgroups. Weighting variables for Gen Z adults (ages » Parental Gender: Male (n=395); Female (n=607)
18–24) included education, age by gender, race/ethnicity, » Age of Children: Young children ages 0–4 (n=273);
region, household income and size of household, based on the School age 5–7 (n=163); Tweens ages 8–12 (n=279);
2019 CPS. Propensity score weighting was used to adjust for Teens ages 13–17 (n=288)
respondents’ propensity to be online. A propensity score allows
» Still Have Children Home for Remote Learning:
researchers to adjust for attitudinal and behavioral differences
Yes (n=506); Yes, Fathers (n=178); Yes, Mothers
between those who are online versus those who are not, those
(n=325)
who join online panels versus those who do not, and those who
responded to this survey versus those who did not.  Because • Race/Ethnicity: White (n=1,098); Hispanic (n=706);
the sample is based on those who were invited and agreed to Black (n=703); Asian (n=403)
participate in research panels, no estimates of theoretical sam- • Received COVID-19 Vaccine: Yes (n=654); No (n=2,359)
pling error can be calculated.

AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION

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AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION STRESS IN AMERICA™ ONE YEAR LATER, A NEW WAVE OF PANDEMIC HEALTH CONCERNS 9